Instructor Class Description

Women, Words, Music, and Change

Comparative analysis of use of myths, tales, music, and other forms of expressive culture to account for, reinforce, and change women's status and roles. Recommended: GWSS 353. Offered: jointly with GWSS 454.

Class description

Count on reading about 100 pages per week, in preparation for
a) seminar discussions, b) viewing of videos/films and
c) writing response papers.
The overall objective of this course is to gain an understanding,
in a cross-cultural comparative context, of how religion, mythology,
anguage, music and other forms of expressive culture are used to account
for, reflect, reinforce and change women's status and roles,
cross-culturally. In order to achieve the overall objective, we first
explore some religious, mythological, popular, and folk texts and other
media used to prescribe and otherwise support gender differentiation;
second, examine theoretical and substantive readings concerned with the
ways in which language and linguistic behaviors shape and reflect cultural
elements, from interpersonal communication to storytelling and the
development of gender identities; and third, consider a range of women's
music.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

There are two principal means of instruction:
1) guided seminar discussions; based on readings and videos/films shown
in class
2) research and writing of analytical papers
for detailed description visit EReserves for this class and read the syllabus for this year or last

This is W(riting) course and counts toward A & S W requirements.
In order to meet the W objectives of this course you are required
to turn in three small and one 25-page (double-spaced
paginated typewritten analytical essays based on the readings for this
course. The final paper consists of revised versions of the first two papers and new material from the "music" readings. Assistance if provided in the form of an OUTLINE attached to the syllabus.
Each student is also asked to lead at two or more discussions
of the required readings(number of discussion leadings depends on size
of class and provide classmates with outlines of their presentation.

The information above is intended to be helpful in choosing courses. Because the instructor may further develop his/her plans for this course, its characteristics are subject to change without notice. In most cases, the official course syllabus will be distributed on the first day of class.
Last Update by Sue-Ellen Jacobs
Date: 12/18/2003

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Modified:April 23, 2014